England will decide on Tuesday whether Jos Buttler's nightmare tour is to take a final downward turn when they discover if he is fit enough for the first one-day international against Pakistan.

Buttler remains a doubt for Wednesday's match here in Abu Dhabi after aggravating an injury to the ring finger of his right hand during England's 50-over warm-up against Hong Kong and could again be replaced by Jonny Bairstow.

It was Bairstow who took the gloves from Buttler for the final Test when England decided they should take their gifted keeper-batsman out of the firing line after a string of low scores.

Jos Buttler's nightmare tour could take a final downward turn if he is not fit enough to face Pakistan

Buttler remains a doubt for Wednesday's match after aggravating an injury to the ring finger of his right hand

Buttler could again be replaced by Jonny Bairstow who took the gloves from Buttler for the final Test

Buttler was hoping to return to his destructive best in the form of the game that most suits him and it would be a huge blow to both him and England if he is unable to take his place in the first of four one-day internationals.

Bairstow may be a capable deputy but he remains an inferior keeper to Buttler and missed a second stumping off his Yorkshire team-mate Adil Rashid in a matter of days when he took over from Buttler in the win against Hong Kong.

Elsewhere the absence of Steven Finn, Ben Stokes and Mark Wood will allow either Reece Topley or Chris Jordan to claim the only other place in the England one-day side that remains up for grabs.

Share this article

The absence of Steven Finn, Ben Stokes and Mark Wood could let Reece Topley stake his claim for a place

But England may opt for the greater experience of Chris Jordan with one place in the side still up for grabs

Topley has impressed England coach Trevor Bayliss since joining the England set-up and was given an opportunity against Hong Kong when he again opened the bowling with fellow left-arm seamer David Willey.

But England may opt for the greater experience of Jordan, who was added to both this and the Test squad when Finn suffered a foot injury that threatens to keep him out of the start of the tour to South Africa next month.